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    POLICE CAR: Haven Primary School student, Jayda Mills (Yr 5), sits in Horsham High Police Car. Picture: Nicholas Ridley
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    HANDS-ON: Haven Primary School year-five student Aiden Reinheimer enjoys some project construction time. Picture: Nick Ridley

Leadership project focus on life skills

By NICK RIDLEY

A Horsham primary school has moved away from electronic devices to teach students basic day-to-day life skills through a Leadership Wimmera project. 

The Life with Skills project was the result of a Leadership Wimmera program that challenged children to learn hands-on life skills. 

Haven Primary School students from grades four to six learnt basic plumbing skills and first aid, among other things, during project sessions last week.



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The project also aimed to teach students how to have healthy relationships with emergency services personnel.

Horsham police attended the event to build stronger connections with the community and strengthen the bond between police and the younger generation. 

Horsham ACE Radio account manager James Davidson, Angela Dicker, Elders Rural Services Horsham, Tim Carter, Breuers Hire and Horsham Rotary Club,  and Bianca Gold, Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, DELWP, planned the day.

Mr Davidson said COVID-19 had forced children indoors and had affected social interactions. 

“Screen addiction has seen a significant rise in our younger generation due to the nature of remote learning, lockdowns and everything else in between,” he said. 

Leadership Wimmera annually runs leadership courses with people from various backgrounds and some of the courses involve developing community projects.

Leadership Wimmera works under the umbrella of Wimmera Development Association, which advocates for several Wimmera municipal councils.

The program is one of two year-long leadership development opportunities for Wimmera-southern Mallee business and community representatives. 

Leadership Wimmera offers other skill development programs on a needs basis throughout the year and has called for applications for revamped courses next year. 

Mr Davidson said he hoped the children who participated in the Life with Skills project would be able to use what they had learnt when they were older. 

“We are hoping the students learnt some life skills, in a fun and engaging way,” he said. 

“We also hope to bridge the gap between police and young kids, creating a better bond within the community and showing that police are people who want to help. Hopefully, the event might inspire someone to become a police officer, join the Country Fire Authority, pursue a career in nursing or become a paramedic.”

Mr Davidson said he hoped in the future more businesses would get involved with leadership programs.

“Businesses should be encouraging staff to participate in these programs,” he said.

“It will only help those people grow as a leader, as a team player and as a community member.” 

The entire December 15, 2021 edition of The Weekly Advertiser is available online. READ IT HERE!